To get us into that Christmas spirit, we have illustrated some Christmas cards for you to print at home. The cards are designed to fit into a C6 envelope (approx. 114mm x 162mm).  Ideal for adults and kids school friends too !

All you need to do is print the design(s) onto a separate A4 sheet of card (210mm x 297mm), then cut out carefully with scissors or a craft knife, and fold in half to finish your card.

C6 envelopes are readily available in supermarkets and stationers and we’ve even seen them in your local post office.

Merry Christmas Angel Greeting Card | Peace on Earth Angel Greeting Card

Hints and tips for printing.

• Print the file as is, do not “fit to page”, scale or change the size when printing, as the cards will then not fit into a C6 envelope.
• Make sure the card you choose to print the file onto is suitable for your printer.
• Preferably choose a white card to print the file onto.
• The file(s) work best if you have the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.
• Colours may vary depending on the type of card and printer/inks used to print the file.

What a wonderful beach view painted by Robert Kelsey. I have made it as far North West as Barra, but this beach in the Outer Hebrides is just where I could spend a few days – very bonnie !

More Robert Kelsey | The Bay Attic

This image is a signed limited edition print run of 250.This print is available in size small 22″ x 11″. All our prints are produced on heavyweight mould made pH neutral etching paper. The inks used are archival quality pigment inks.

One of our favourite places depicted in this vibrant colour-fest from Judith I Brigeland, Red Poppies, Arran in the Distance.

More Judith I Brigeland | The Bay Attic | Giclee Fine Art Prints

This image is part of a signed limited edition print run of 250. Small Size 229mm x 229mm. Large Size 508mm x 508mm. All our prints are produced on heavyweight mould made pH neutral etching paper. The inks used are archival quality pigment inks.

If you need some extra mugs for your guests over the holiday season, have a look at our range of ceramic gift mugs. Choose from vibrant, colourful designs, comical mugs, illustrated mugs and  Scottish mugs.

The mugs are 91mm x 80mm, are dishwasher safe and come with postage and packaging included in the price !

Many of our mug designs are also available as greeting cards.

Dad’s Done the washing again Ceramic Gift Mug
from The Bay Attic

Scottish Ceramic Gift Mug
by The Bay Attic

Winter Sunlight, Glenshee Gift Mug
by Colin Robertson

A gargantuan sight in Inverclyde this afternoon.  An 8 meter tall, blue marionette called The Big Man was entertained and given gifts by local school children and groups as he walked the streets of Gourock. Despite the rain, there was a great turn out and this evening he will be walking at Battery Park before the annual fireworks display.

The Big Man Walking
Gourock 2009

Working in both acrylic and watercolour allows for the use of a strong palette or a more subtle treatment of the subject matter both in Kate’s usual lively and spontaneous style.

Iona Village Giclee Fine Art Print
by Kate Philp

This image is part of a signed limited edition print run of 250, available in two sizes. Small Size 229mm x 229mm and Large Size 432mm x 432mm. All our prints are produced on heavyweight mould made pH neutral etching paper. The inks used are archival quality pigment inks.

More Kate Philp | The Bay Attic | Art Cards and Gifts

More Maxwell the pup | The Bay Attic

Halloween. What’s it all about ?

When I was at school I am sure I remembered the teachers explaining about Halloween. If I remember correctly it was a festival or celebration for Celts and Druids or Priests called Samhain.

November the 1st, was called the feast of Samhain. The night before or ‘eve’ of Samhain was believed to be the night when evil spirits would return to earth and inhabit the living souls of animals or even the Celts themselves ! Thus the Celts would put on costumes as a disguise to confuse the evil spirits. Hence our tradition today of dressing up at Halloween.

I am sure the origins of Halloween are more complex than my explanation, but it has always been one of my favourite time of year. To be enjoyed whether young or old !

The Bay Attic | Invitations | Giclee Fine Art Prints | Art Cards and Gifts

This print reminded me of sitting by the sea at the Kyrenia Beach Restaurant in Avdimou, Cyprus earlier in the year. Having lunch, people watching and generally letting the World pass by. I don’t think this print is of Cyprus, it’s just the bright sunshine and the relaxed expectation of the vista that reminds me of my lazy day at the beach cafe.

Cafe Society Giclee Fine Art Print
by Lin Pattullo

Coincidently, I received an email from Cyprus today, and surprisingly they were having their first torrent of thunder and rain, in recent months !

The correspondence also brought to mind the day I visited the Carob Museum in Anoyira. This area of Cyprus is famous for Carob trees, some trees are at least 150 years old.

Carob Tree with seed pods

The lady who runs the museum and shop demonstrated how the Carobs were harvested and turned into Carob syrup, and Pastelli or Carob toffee, in the traditional way, as her father had made.

The Carob Museum, Anoyria, Cyprus

The Carob Museum Curator/Owner

The Pastelli is made by boiling the carob pods in water in a large pot called a Hartchi, this takes a considerable amount of time, eventually the mixture thickens and looks like syrup,  the pods are removed, and the syrup mixture is then poured into wooden moulds and cooled. The Pastelli is malliable and is then stretched and pulled till it’s colour changes to a coppery bronze. The Pastelli or Carob Toffee resembles what we would call toffee in the UK, although on tasting I found the Pastelli melted in the mouth – delicious !

Funny enough, the lady previously lived in Scotland for many years !